At the Selangor Future Cup 2025 announcement are (from left) Lim, Fikri Rizal, Mohd Najwan, Abbas Salimmi, Nizam, Jafri and Ikmal. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
SELANGOR government is hoping to unearth talents from an upcoming e-sports tournament to possibly represent the state at next year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma).
A total of 64 secondary schools in Selangor will each send teams of seven to participate in Selangor Future Cup 2025, a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) championship.
“This is an initiative to develop the talents and skills of students aged 13 to 17 in competitive e-sports,” said Selangor youth, sports and entrepreneurship committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi.
“We hope to find potential talents to represent Selangor in the e-sports category in future competitions,” he said of the championship taking place on Feb 22 and 23 at Aeon Mall Shah Alam.
He said the winners could even play for Selangor in Sukma 2026, once the state finalised the number of sports for the games this August.
E-sports was a strong contender for inclusion, he said, based on the good reception during Sukma 2024 in Sarawak.
On participation for Selangor Future Cup 2025, Mohd Najwan said the only criteria were passion and skill in MLBB.
“The students’ educational background or identity do not matter; what matters most is their enthusiasm and love for e-sports.
“The list of participants for the championship has been finalised and we look forward to seeing them compete soon.”
Screenshot from a Mobile Legends: Bang Bang game in play at 2024 E-Sports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In addition to prizes worth RM200,000, he said members of the winning team would be offered scholarships worth RM160,000 to study up to diploma level at Todak Academy – a vocational school specialising in e-sports, animation and video games.
Mohd Najwan hoped the prizes and scholarship offer would empower the winners to also do well in the academic field.
Selangor Future Cup 2025 is organised in collaboration with Selangor Red Giants – Selangor Football Club’s e-sports division – and Todak Academy.
The two organisations will also offer guidance to participants in terms of strategising, leadership and teamwork.
Mohd Najwan said Selangor government was determined to make e-sports become mainstream, starting with the coming championship.
“We see a significant potential in the field of digital entrepreneurship and creative industries,” he said.
“Youths deserve opportunities outside of conventional academic achievements.
“I hope this championship will open their parents’ minds and perceptions to the possibilities of e-sports and online gaming.”
Mohd Najwan added that the championship would be live-streamed for real-time viewing, in line with settings similar to professional tournaments.
Also present at the press conference were Selangor Sports Council (MSNS) executive director Nizam Marjugi, MSNS deputy chairman Abbas Salimmi Che Adzmi @ Azmi, Selangor Education Department director Dr Jafri Abu, Selangor Red Giants co-founder Simon Lim, Moonton Games marketing and business development head Fikri Rizal Mahruddin and Todak Fusion Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Ikmal Fareeq.
